Word of wisdom

Once few women came to Hazrat Abu Hanifa and asked him. “Why is it that a Muslim man is allowed to keep four wives at the same time but a woman can’t?”

Imam Abu Hanifa whose name is Nauman and his father’s name was Sabit. Abu Hanifa is known to be a very pious spiritual scholarly preacher. His teachings are followed by millions of Muslims around the world. He has the honor and privilege of seeing many sahabas (friends of Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h) like, Hazrat Anus bin Malik, Hazrat Jabir bin Abdullah bin Abi Aufi , Hazrat Imam Jaffer Sadiq, Fazeel bin Ayaz. May Allah be pleased with them, amen

His few and famous learned students are, Abraham bin Adham, Daud Tai Bashar Hani etc.

Abu Hanifa could not give the answer to the women right away so asked for some time to answer. He was disturbed and confused when he went home. His daughter Hanifa was a wise and learned lady. She seeing her father tense asked him the reason. Her father shared with her. Hanifa asked her father that, “If you assure me to add my name with yours I’ll answer this question.” Father agreed. Hanifa Bibi asked him to send those women to her.

Next day the women came to her. Hanifa Bibi asked each one of them to bring some milk.

When they all brought milk, each one was asked to put milk in an empty bowl. All four women put their milk in the empty bowl. Hanifa Bibi then asked each one of them to take out their own milk she put from the bowl. They women said. “Bibi how can I take out my milk when it’s all mixed?” Bibi Hanifa then replied. “That’s the reason a woman is not allowed to have more than one husband at the same time. Because how will you identify whose child you carry in your stomach” the women were satisfied with the answer

Nauman bin Sabit then added his daughter’s name with his own as Abu Hanifa (father of Hanifa) now very few people know his real name as he is known Abu Hanifa throughout the world.

Thank you for the question you put, that why are men allowed 4 wives. As we all know that number of women is quite larger in number then men all countries everywhere, in ancient times and even today, more females are born than males. India is the only country which has less number of females because they abort the girl before birth in mother’s womb.
so to avoid illegal and illegitimate children Islam allowed me to keep four wives so that they can have shelter, food and respect and can bring up their children with pride having the name of father. its not obligation or not by force. in earlier times wars fought face to face . men died in wars not women so number of women increased. Islam is the religion of peace and solves all matters with respect.kindly forgive me if any of my words offended you. you may again ask me if there’s any query. Thank you for being there

I like your interest and query🙂 when its a social practice then women know so they bear it willingly though its difficult to share husband with other women. but the husband is bound to give his wives if he has more than one, to give equal rights to his wives and divide equal time( night). Children dont mind for they are equally attended and cared for. if a man is rich he can give each wife a separate home. not necessary that a home should be big and lavish life but within his reach sources and means. I have seen myself two wives living in the same house. children love their other brothers and sisters just like real brothers sisters. they share care and respect. petty differences do occur as they are not angels. But sexual abuses, rapes lessens as women get married and satisfy their natural instinct of sex in a legal way🙂

And if you fear that you will not deal justly with the orphan (?girls?)*, then marry those that please you of [other] women, two or three or four. But if you fear that you will not be just, then [marry only] one or those your right hand possesses. That is more suitable that you may not incline [to injustice].
Qur’an 4:3
*Note some translations read girl, while others read only orphan’s

So the verse says you can marry up to 4 wives at a time, but only if you can be fair and just to all of them!

That means fairly dividing your money, fairly dividing your time, fairly dividing bedroom activities, fairly dividing the home (or homes as the case may be), fairly dividing all transportation. Is such a thing really possible? To be fair to more than one woman at once? I certainly do no think so, but what does the Qur’an say?

And you will never be able to be equal between wives, even if you should strive [to do so]. So do not incline completely [toward one] and leave another hanging. And if you amend [your affairs] and fear Allah – then indeed, Allah is ever Forgiving and Merciful.
Quran 4:129

So you will never be able to be equal between wives. The Qur’an is giving permission to marry more than one wife, but only if you are perfect, which no human is. So in essence it is an unbeatable challenge.